New Zealand NPC: 2026 Season Preview & Tips

It was yet another provincial championship for Canterbury in 2025, as they finished the season on top of the ladder before defeating their traditional foes Otago in the final, 36-28. It was only right that the red and blacks claimed the crown after winning their first seven games, and although they experienced a few hiccups after that, including surrendering the Ranfurly Shield to Otago and requiring extra time to get past Counties Manukau in the quarterfinals, it must be said that Canterbury were the deserved title-winners. They have a near-identical team at their disposal for 2026, which puts them in prime position to repeat. The big addition is that of Richie Mo’unga, who returns from Japan for his first taste of NPC footy since 2020, and he fills a glaring weakness at first five-eighth. There are a few key departures, including Zach Gallagher, Tom Christie and Braydon Ennor, but with Mo’unga, Dominic Gardiner, Dallas McLeod and Johnny McNicholl being just some of the players at their disposal this season, the defending champions are every chance of going back-to-back.

Last year’s defeated finalists, Otago, also look to be every bit as strong in 2026. Their rock-solid forward pack was key to their success in 2025, seeing them steal the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury and keep it in Dunedin for the summer, and they’re very well-stocked up front again. With workhorses such as Will Stodart, Henry Bell and Oliver Haig in the ranks, as well as star loosies Lucas Casey and Christian Lio-Willie, it’s a helluva pack that Mark Brown has at his disposal. Patrick Pellegrini joins Cam Millar to make it a couple of strong playmaking options, while Finn Hurley and Jona Nareki will add plenty of spark. Some stable back options, such as Sam Gilbert, Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Nathan Hastie have moved on, but that shouldn’t reduce the ceiling of this Razorbacks squad.

Bay of Plenty really hit their stride as the 2025 season went on, but ultimately fell to Otago in the semis. The Steamers had a typically-potent attack, but it was their defence that really lifted them to their heights, finishing with the second-least points conceded in the competition. Their key cogs on that end, including Nikora Broughton, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Kurt Eklund, are all back in the mix this season, while Drua hooker Sairusi Ravudi and Riley Hohepa join the ranks. Sevens veteran Joe Webber teams up with fellow sevens stars Frank Vaenuku and Roderick Solo to add to the Steamers’ attack, making them an enticing pick in the futures market. It’s another imposing Steamers squad who will go far in this year’s competition.

Hawke’s Bay were 7-3 in the regular season in 2025 before crashing out against Canterbury in the semifinals. The 19-43 SF defeat was a rough ending to the season and they have a slew of player departures to battle with if they are to get back to the top four this season. High on the list are Miracle Fai’ilagi, Devan Flanders and Isaia Walker-Leawere, while Nick Grigg, Kienan Higgins, Ere Enari, Pouri Rakete-Stones and Tom Parsons leave considerable holes in the squad. The additions of Bailyn Sullivan, Darby Lancaster and Tyrone Thompson mitigate some of the losses, but it’s hard to see the Magpies reaching the semis again.

More stable are Taranaki, who have the benefit of retaining almost all of their top-tier forwards for the 2026 campaign. Josh Lord will likely be held with the All Blacks, where last year’s coach Neil Barnes is now serving, and out wide, Taniela Rakuro is a loss, but it’s a very consistent team for the Bulls. Province legend Jarrad Hoeata comes in as head coach and will be tasked with getting his team back to the top, where they were just three years ago, and they should at least be in contention come the pointy end of the season.

Tasman are another team who will be hoping to return to the championship form, with another electric roster at their disposal this season. Quinten Strange, Sione Havili Talitui and Levi Aumua have all left the team, but in come Shannon Frizell, Brumbies veteran flanker Rory Scott and Reds hooker Richie Asiata to bring real stability to the pack. On the flip side, the Mako’s star power in the backs is likely to be severely hampered, with Will Jordan, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili and Timoci Tavatavanawai all likely to spend most, if not all of, the season on All Blacks duty or injured, and that will limit how far Tasman can get.

Waikato are also heavily hit by All Blacks commitments, with no less than eight players set to miss a good chunk of the season. After a rollercoaster 2025, which saw low lows, including consecutive losses to Southland and Manawatū, before a 36-point loss to BOP, the Mooloos will need to show improvement if they are to threaten this year. With Liam Coombes-Fabling and Bailyn Sullivan having moved on, they will need someone to step up in the backs, but their forward stocks are much deeper, which will help keep them competitive this season.

For the second season running, Counties Manukau took the last place in the playoffs and then gave Canterbury a real scare in the quarters, taking them to extra time before losing 15-23. There has been plenty of rotation among the Steelers in the offseason, with over 20 players having departed, including stars Etene Nanai-Seturo and Hoskins Sotutu, as well as a slew of regulars. Atu Moli joins in the front row and Samoa international Tuna Tuitama adds some midfield depth, but I’m not forecasting improvement from Counties.

Over the Bombays, Auckland are also facing a season of change, and it is a much-needed one after going 2-8 in 2025 for a 12th-place finish. Over 15 players have departed over the break, including Adrian Choat, AJ Lam, Tanielu Tele’a and Millennium Sanerivi, but there is still some star power amongst the squad, with the likes of Stephen Perofeta, Codemeru Vai and Josh Beehre all staying. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Pita Ahki come in to add plenty of class, in what is set to be an improved season for Steve Bates’ side.

Wellington were the other major province to miss the playoffs last year, as they went 3-7 in a forgettable campaign. As one of just three teams who failed to record consecutive wins at any point in the season, little went right for the Lions. It’s a relatively stable squad for Wellington, at least in terms of first-string players, but All Blacks duties are set to severely interfere with their front row stocks. Having Du’Plessis Kirifi at their disposal will certainly help this time around, but it’s an uninspiring back line for Wellington, and that’s going to limit their success.

Manawatū were also 3-7 last season, and they have brought back a good chunk of their 2025 squad as they look to make a playoff appearance. They’ll likely be without Brett Cameron (knee injury) for the entire season, but the likes of Taniela Filimone, James Tofa, Ngani Laumape and Drew Wild proved their danger in the backs last year, and they will be a handful for defences again. Up front, Brayden Iose and TK Howden return to lead the pack, in what is a dynamic Turbos side that can improve on their three wins.

Northland came agonisingly close to a top-eight finish last year, but their 19-25 loss to Waikato in the final round saw them miss out by just two competition points. With one of the best defences in the competition, the Taniwha’s 5-1-4 record was built on their ability to make scrambling defensive efforts and keep their discipline in check, and they will need all that and more if they are to take the next step in 2026. Josh Goodhue returns from a stint in Japan for his first Taniwha game since 2022, while Aussies Hudson Creighton and James Ramm bring some more class to the back line, and with a soft schedule in the back-half of the season the Taniwha are a good chance of finishing in the eight.

Down the other end of the country, Southland were a real mixed bag in 2025, starting 3-2 before losing their last five games by an average margin of 41.7 points to fall out of the finals race. They will be expecting improvement this time around, with some proven players brought into the fold, including Sef Fa’agase, Clem Halaholo and Glen Vaihu, although some mainstays have departed, namely backs Faletoi Peni, Rory van Vugt, Matt Whaanga and Isaac Te Tamaki. That somewhat nullifies their additions and while they are set to be very competitive up front, they won’t have the finishing touches to break into the eight.

There were few positives for North Harbour last year, wrapping up with a grim 1-9 record. Their lone win came over Southland in the final round, but they were perhaps unlucky to not finish with more victories given that three of their defeats came by three points or less. Regardless, head coach Jimmy Maher has made plenty of changes to his squad, welcoming in Tongan international Sam Tu’itupou, Fijian international Motikiai Murray and Moana Pasifika star Israel Leota, while province legend Bryn Hall makes his comeback after a year away from the NPC. Jed Melvin and Kade Banks return after standout campaigns last year, but there is nowhere near enough improvement in this Harbour squad to suggest that they will be flirting with a quarterfinal spot.